After leading the Cleveland Browns to a victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 2, Deshaun Watson isn't going anywhere.
Before the Browns kicked off in Tampa Bay, NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported that Cleveland would re-evaluate their quarterback position ahead of Week 3's home opener against the Carolina Panthers. The expectation was that second-year quarterback Shedeur Sanders would be the next man up, especially if Watson's struggles from Week 1 against the Jacksonville Jaguars surfaced again.
But Watson was 24-of-30 passing for 238 yards and two touchdowns in the double-digit comeback victory on the road. After a low-scoring, penalty-infested first half, Watson took command of the offense's operation and executed at a high level while Cleveland's defense kept Baker Mayfield in check.
What Monken said about Watson's Week 2 performance
Immediately after the game, Monken didn't even want to entertain questions about replacing Watson, who he was happy for. On Monday, the 60-year-old head coach confirmed that he's tired of answering questions about whether or not Watson will remain the starter. He's optimistic that Watson can play well enough consistently where the questions will eventually stop.
"Do I love dealing with it every week? Of course not," Monken said. "But the reality is of course, and I'm happy for Deshaun. And I expect improvement. And I expect continued improvement. There's a lot of football left in him, he just hasn't played in awhile. Learning our system and trying to get him consistent with his drops and reads is part of the process."
Monken explained that he views Watson as a young player that still has room to grow.
"I was happy for Deshaun, he was our offensive player of the game, he made a number of plays with his legs, played with confidence, he let it rip, you could see the difference from Week 1 and Week 2," Monken said. "I think we're going to just continue to grow together."
The last time Watson played inside of Huntington Bank Field was Week 2 of the preseason, where he struggled to find a rhythm against the third and fourth-string Buffalo Bills. Watson was booed by Browns fans, a common theme in his home stadium. After the game, he torched the fanbase, calling his reception from Browns fans "personal" and stating that he's treated better on the road than he is at home.
It's quite possible – even likely – that Browns fans will still boo Watson after his performance in Week 2.
But the fan perception never influenced Monken's decision. The first-time head coach wants to develop talent and win games.
On Sunday in Tampa Bay, Watson helped with both.
This article originates on the CFR .
Tetairoa McMillan drafted by Carolina Panthers in first round of 2025 NFL Draft
Tetairoa McMillan has been drafted by the Carolina Panthers. Read on for the latest.
Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan has been drafted by the Carolina Panthers with the 8th overall pick.
"I think he has really good play speed," Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales said. "The thing that pops off the tape is how smooth he is, his body control, his ability to adjust to all types of throws. His catch radius and his hands are elite. He catches everything outside his frame and he can win the jump ball down the field and in the red zone. He puts the ball in the end zone and obviously that is something we want to do.
"He's going to have to work for it. He certainly comes in just like everybody else. The thing I am most excited about is the further we dug in, Pro Day, all the postseason work getting to know the guy. We had him on a visit and spending more time to make sure he is the right fit for our team. The type of players we are looking for love playing ball, love to work on their craft, and it really shows up.
"The last couple of days, we were nitpicking. I put my receiver coach hat on and watched his Pro Day and his route craft, the way he can reduce his surface at the top of routes as a 6-4 guy, the way he comes back to the ball. Some of the things you look for as a great starting point for a receiver. Giving us that good size element and the red zone targets. Lot of things to be excited about."
There were some questions about McMillan entering the draft that were largely related to his effort level, but they did not play much of a role in where he got drafted. In fact, Arizona wide receiver coach Bobby Wade fired back at that criticism in spring camp.
"T-Mac's ability is going to translate quickly in the NFL," Wade said. "He's a great route runner, he is very coachable, and obviously the God given talent is unmatched. The ability to play the ball off his feet and create separation and what he put on film last year by being able to run with the football in his hands is unique at that size. He was by far faster than what everyone thought he was."
Arizona head coach Brent Brennan similarly went to McMillan's defense was he was unfairly criticized in the loss to TCU.
"All I know is when that ball is snapped, that kid is a warrior," Brennan said. "Watch how hard he plays and watch him block. The way that young man practices. Everything he has given to this football program every step of the way. The way he carries himself in the community, how generous he is with his time, how he interacts with fans. He's really special.
"When we miss him on a throw, I understand him being frustrated. He's competitive. It's one of my favorite things about him. I think when you are a player of that magnitude, people are always going to have opinions and that's part of living in the spotlight that he lives in.
"The thing that's really special about him is he makes the choice every day to show up and show up with great energy and great practice habits. That part of it makes him unique. The guy is a competitor. He wants to play. I love that part about him."
McMillian finished his career with the most receiving yards in school history. Last season, he was named First-Team All-Big 12 and a Finalist for the Biletnikoff Award after making 84 catches for 1,319 yards and eight touchdowns.
He also finished third in program history with 26-career touchdown receptions, recording 213 receptions during his career, finishing fourth in program history. His 84 receptions were ninth in nation and his1,319 receiving yards were the fifth-most in a single season in program history.
His sophomore season, McMillan started all 13 games and led the team with 1,402 receiving yards and was second on team with 10 touchdown grabs. He finished second in the Pac-12 in receiving yards per game with 107.8 and tied for fifth in the conference in touchdown catches at 10.
"Possession receiver with the size and ball skills to create big wins deep," NFL analyst Lance Zierlein writes. "He's a linear route-runner who wears press coverage early and coasts too often on deep routes, but he has a feel for uncovering underneath and can play over the top of cornerbacks for easier jump-ball wins.
"McMillan is instinctive with a feel for adjusting his routes and working back on throws to make the quarterback's job easier. He needs to show more consistent play speed and physicality to protect his workspace. His elite ball skills set him apart, though, providing a higher floor as a "Z" option with mismatch value in the slot."